Clearlake Police involved in similar pursuits less than six hours apart

CLEARLAKE -- A pair of police pursuits within six blocks of each other around New Year's Day resulted in two arrests and left officers searching for one at-large driver.

The incidents happened under similar circumstances less than six hours apart, but authorities do not think they were related.

Clearlake Police Sgt. Rodd Joseph said he was involved in the first pursuit after attempting to stop a red GMC pickup for traffic violations near Phillips and 39th avenues about 7:45 p.m. Tuesday.

The driver, later identified as Merced County resident John August Schroiff, failed to yield and continued down 39th Avenue approximately 45 to 50 mph for about 0.3 miles before the truck got stuck in the mud at the street's dead-end, Joseph said.

The sergeant alleged that Schroiff, 27, immediately ran from the area through heavy brush toward Highway 53.

Schroiff, who is still at large, is a convicted felon and documented gang member with a suspended driver's license, according to Joseph.

Clearlake resident Ashley Martinez, 25, was found in the passenger seat, arrested on an out-of-county misdemeanor warrant and later released on citation, Joseph said.

Officers allegedly found a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol and drug paraphernalia inside the truck.

Police are actively looking for Schroiff, and the case is being forwarded to the Lake County District Attorney's Office for felony and misdemeanor charges, Joseph said.

A second pursuit started near Phillips and 45th avenues just after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to Joseph.

Riley chased the man, later identified as Santa Rosa resident James Evan Morgan, for a short distance before Morgan fell and the officer took him into custody, Joseph said.

Morgan, 34, allegedly tried to discard a .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol before being caught. Drug paraphernalia was also found near Morgan during the arrest, Joseph said.

Morgan, also a convicted felon and documented gang member, was charged with several gun-related felonies and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction, Joseph said.

The Santa Rosa man was booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility Wednesday morning after being medically cleared from St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake for minor injuries suffered during the chase, the sergeant added.

Anyone with information about either incident should contact the Clearlake Police Department at 994-8251. Callers may remain anonymous.